Robert Downey Jr. considersKiss Kiss Bang Bang“the best film I’ve ever done,” and it led to his famous Marvel casting.Robert Downey Jr. has starred in numerous moviesthroughout his career, yetKiss Kiss Bang Bangstands out for the Academy Award winner. Released in 2005 as Shane Black’s directorial debut, the neo-noir black comedy crime film follows thief Harry Lockhart (Downey) as he accidentally auditions for a movie role that lands him in the middle of a murder investigation in LA with an investigator known as Gay Perry (Val Kilmer).

Robert Downey Jr.’s 2005 comedy movie leans into its satirical tone, especially withKiss Kiss Bang Bang’sending, turning the neo-noir genre on its head through the film’s own self-awareness. More importantly,Kiss Kiss Bang Banghas nothing to do with superheroes.Robert Downey Jr. was perfectly cast as Iron Man, especially as the actor connects deeply to the role of Tony Stark. It’s interesting thatRobert Downey Jr. has namedKiss Kiss Bang Bangas the reason for his role as a comic book superheroin the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

Harry and Harmony sitting together in Kiss Kiss Bang Bang.

Robert Downey Jr. Once Named Kiss Kiss Bang Bang “The Best Film” He Has Ever Done

Downey Calls The Film A “Calling Card” Into The MCU

According to his interview on theJoe Rogan Experiencepodcast, Robert Downey Jr. stated thatKiss Kiss Bang Bangwas “in some ways, the best film I’ve ever done.” The actor reflected on the film, saying that even though it bombed at the box office, earning just $15.8 million on a $15 million budget,Kiss Kiss Bang Bangwas his “calling card into the Marvel Cinematic Universe.”Downey explains that, “Jon Favreau saw it, and he said, ‘This guy could do an action movie,'” and that led to his role in 2008’sIron Man. Check out the interview below:

Iron Manwas revered asRobert Downey Jr.’s career comeback, and it launched the Marvel Cinematic Universe as we know it. Downey’s casting as Tony Stark was pivotal for the new era of superhero movies, and his legacy has been cemented in the genre because of it. Furthermore, the actor has appeared in movies since he was just a child, and his career comprises a wide-ranging list of films and TV series.For Robert Downey Jr. to say thatKiss Kiss Bang Bangis “the best film” he has ever done is extremely high praise.

Split images of Robert Downey Jr in Iron Man 3 and Kiss Kiss Bang Bang

Without Kiss Kiss Bang Bang, Robert Downey Jr. Would’ve Never Played Iron Man

Jon Favreau Saw Downey’s Potential In Shane Black’s Movie

When the movie was released in 2005,Kiss Kiss Bang Bangflopped at the box office, barely breaking even with its $15 million budget. However, without Shane Black’s film, Robert Downey Jr. likely would never have played Iron Man.Securing a lead role in a movie alongside Val Kilmer showcased that Downey was ready to undertake more prominent rolesin the action and comedy genres in 2005.Kiss Kiss Bang Bangprepared Robert Downey Jr. for his Iron Man roleby demonstrating that the actor was at the top of his game, having made a brilliant comeback after overcoming addiction.

Robert Downey Jr.’s previous skillset, as well as his action-comedy skills asKiss Kiss Bang Bang’sHarry Lockhart made Jon Favreau believe that Downey was the perfect choice to play Tony Stark, and it paid off.Iron Manis beloved, andDowney has enjoyed an immensely lucrative career in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Marvel Studios will benefit from Downey’s charismatic energy once more; even though Tony Stark died inAvengers: Endgame,Robert Downey Jr. will return as Doctor DoominAvengers: Doomsday.

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Robert Downey Jr. And Val Kilmer Are Both Amazing In Kiss Kiss Bang Bang

Kilmer And Downey Have A Fantastic Comedic Chemistry

Kiss Kiss Bang Bangnot only prompted Jon Favreau’s decision to cast Robert Downey Jr. as Iron Man, but it is also a fantastic film.Downey thrives asKiss Kiss Bang Bang’s narrator, leading the audience through a comedically confusing and unreliable narrativewhich satirizes the very genre the movie is a part of. However, without Val Kilmer’s Gay Perry to bounce off of,Kiss Kiss Bang Bangwould have been a completely different film. It’s Downey’s and Kilmer’s chemistry that makes the movie so funny.

It’s not hard to see why Downey now regardsKiss Kiss Bang Bangas “the best film” he’s done.

ThroughoutKiss Kiss Bang Bang, Gay Perry is effectively tortured by Harry Lockhart, whose clumsy nature constantly interferes with his serious murder investigation. This comedic back-and-forth produces some of the film’s best line deliveries, especially by the sarcastic Val Kilmer. With an 86% Rotten Tomatoes score, a legacy as an underrated classic, and a history as a “calling cardinto the Marvel Cinematic Universe,” it’s somewhat surprising thatRobert Downey Jr.’sKiss Kiss Bang Bangwas a box office flop. However, it’s not hard to see why Downey now regardsKiss Kiss Bang Bangas “the best film” he’s done.